Cigar labeling and wrapping machine



Dec. 28, 1937; F, x. MALOCSAY 2,103,626

CIGAR LABELING AND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

. FIZWIX BY ATTORNEYS.

MALO SAY Dec. 28, 1937. F. x. MALOCSAY 2,103,626

CIGAR LABELING AND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1935 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 m2 FRANCIS xmwcsfly INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS. I

Dec. 28, 1937. F. x. MALOCSAYI A CIGAR LABELING AND WRAPPING MACHINE FRflNClSX MflLOCSA' 2" INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 28, 1937. F, X MALOCSAY 2,103,626

CIGAR LABELING AND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 s 7 fTgJE- IN V EN TOR.

FRAysX MALOUSAY BY I / ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 28,1937. F. x. MALOCSAY 2,103,626

' CIGAR LABELING AND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FRANCIS X. MALOCSAY INVENTOR.

Eli By A TTORNEYS.

' Patented Dec. 28, 1937 v U"mi-r ;psTATES 2,103,626 v CIGAR. LABELING AND WRAPPINGMACHINE Francis X. Malocsay, Upper Saddle River, N. J., assignor to International Banding Machine Company, a corporation of New York Application January 24, 1935, Serial No. 3,215

13 Claims.

This invention relates to the artof applying advertising indicia to cigars, or to be more exact, to the inside of transparent wrappers for cigars so that the advertising is visible therethrough.

More particularly considered, this invention is a modification of a mechanism of the kind described for which I filed an application for patent on August 11th, 1934, under Serial Number 739,363, which matured into Patent No. 2,076,378,

April 6, 1937, and this specification may be considered a continuation in part of said previous specification. In fact, many elements and devices which are combined in cooperation to form the complete mechanism described in said former 15 application, are. again required and repeated in the present mechanism and as such will be shortly mentioned and characterized in the present description. For their detailed construction it will therefore be sufficient to refer to said previ: ous application. Other' elements, as will appear from the description, are omitted, as they are superseded by modifieddevlces.

The modifications are not so much in the nature of results,v as in the nature of means employedto achieve these results. On the other hand the modifications proposed do not refer to the formerly described mechanism as a whole or toall of itspossible functions but only in so far as said mechanism can be used as a labeling machine or as one applying the center portion or medallion of the band alone to the wrapper, not so far as it is employed as a banding machine.

It is, however, feasible and entirely within the scope of the present invention to combine the formerly described mechanismyand all its parts, as 'far as they are needed and adapted for the function of banding a cigar with the modified elements, presently to be described, as far as they are adapted for furnishing and applying a single label to a cigar wrapper. The manufacturing result in either case would be identical; i. e. the machine, constructed and assembled either in the previous form or in the modified form, will furnish a cigar, wrapped in a transparent wrapper 5 (viz. consisting of regenerated cellulose, commonly'known under the trade name Cel1ophane), with a medallion and a label attachedto the inside of the wrapper, so as to be visible therethrough, or with a cigar band underneath the 50 wrapper, surrounding the cigar and a label besides, firmly attached to the underside of the wrapper, both label and cigar band being visible through the wrapper. s

The principal diiference lies in the form in 55 which the labels or the medallions are supplied to the machine. In the prior arrangementthe advertising media, whether they were-labels or medallions or bands, were all separate and piled up in guiding holders, so-called magazines, and by pneumatic means one after the other of the single 5 labels, tags, medallions or bands were picked from the bottom of these piles and by the same means transmitted to the position wherein they were to be attached to the wrapper. In the new arrangement labels or medallions are furnished in 10 the form of continuous and coherent ribbons or bands Wound upon reels, from which they are unwound in succession and carried, still as a continuous band,toward the place of application to the wrapper. After reaching this destination, is each individual label or medallion is severed. by a reciprocating knife from the ribbon, whereupon a plunger, provided with suction means, gets hold of the severed piece and presses it against the underside of the individual wrapper which mean: while has reached a position directly above said severed piece. The further fixation of the label or medallion to said wrapper and the rest of the manipulation; i. e., the transport of the united wrapper and label (or medallion) by a reciprocating pneumatic conveyor to a place above the cigar to be wrapped and the final wrapping manipulations do not differ from the previously described invention.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide a label feed arrangement, adapted to cooperate with a wrapper feed arrangement wherein a roll of labels or tags is operatively supported near the delivery path of the wrapper'feeding device and is adapted to in- 35 termittently feed a continuous row of labels into said path, to be separated into single labels and to be conveyed along in unison with a separate cut-off wrapper. Another object of my invention is to provide a similar medallion feed arrangement, adapted' to cooperate with the same wrapper feed arrange,- ment wherein a roll of medallions in a similar proximity to the wrapper delivery path is adapted to cooperate with the wrapper feed-device in a similar way.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby said label feed and said medallion feed device are enabled'to either function separately or in unison and synchronized action.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cutting device in either of the aforesaid propositions, adapted to separate a single label or medallion from the continuous strip as said label or medallion has reached an appropriate position underneath the respective wrapper with which it is destined to be united.

Another object is to provide a reciprocating supporting or holding member adapted to temporarily support the cut-off label or medallion, as soon as it is cut off from the roll, and to lift the same into intimate contact with the under side of the wrapper.

A further object is to provide pneumatic suction means in conjunction with said supporting and lifting member, adapted to temporarily attach and support the medallion or label in a fixed position as soon as it is detached from the rest of the supply.

Another object, corollary to the last named, is to provide controlling-means for the air ducts of said supporting and lifting member so that the alternating shut-offs and openings in the suction passage may be synchronized with the working phases of the whole feeding and wrapping operations.

A further object of my invention is to provide adjusting means in conjunction with the label or medallion feeding device wherebythe intermittent lengths fed toward the wrapper feed path can be varied so as totally exactly with the predetermined and impressed length of the label or medallion design on the printed ribbon, thereby insuring an exact and fitting separation of the single printed units from each other. e

A further object of my invention is to provide automatic controlling means, adapted to cooperate with the label or medallion feeding means, whereby the lengths of the several ribbons fed toward the wrapper feed path, when once properly adjusted, are strictly kept so as to tally with. the actual lengths indicated on the printed ribbons.

Another object, corollary to the last named, is to provide means whereby the ribbons themselves, either for the labels or for the medallions, are adapted to cooperate with the mechanical controlling means, forming part of the mechanism, and in this way are rendered self adjusting.

A similar object, in compass with the last named, is to provide said ribbons with such suitable indentations, apertures or the like that mechanical gripper elements, providedfor this purpose, are enabled to engage these ribbon features and in this way effect a positive control upon th feed.

Another object of my invention is to provide means whereby the direction of feeding the labels toward the wrapper can be optionally changed, so

that the label may be ultimately attached to the wrapper either across the cigar, at right angles to the axis or in a slanting or diagonal position.

A further object, corollary with the last named taneous unwinding of too much ribbon length from the reels.

Other objects, either of an auxiliary or supplementary nature which are necessary for completing the tasks of firmly attaching the labels or medallions to the underside of the wrapper, as

for example the heat-sealing device, or for conveying the combined wrapper with the label or the medallion to the wrapping and banding apparatus, as for example the wrapper (and band) carrier with its pneumatic equipment, are identical with corresponding objects, listed inv the former invention, and the devices for accomplishing these objects will not be claimed in this application as novel per se, except as far as their cooperative combination with the new mechanical features shown and described may warrant patent protection.

Other more specific objects and advantages of the novel combination and arrangement shown Will appear as the nature of the improvements are better understood, the invention consisting substantially in the novel arrangement and correlation of instrumentalities herein fully de scribed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters are used to describe corresponding parts throughout the several views and then finally pointed out and specifically defined and indicatedin the appended claims.

The disclosure made the basis of exemplifying the present inventive concept suggests a practical embodiment thereof, but the invention is not to be restricted to the exact details of this disclosure, and the latter therefore is to be understood from an illustrative, rather than a restrictive standpoint. It will be understood that the various features of the invention disclosed may be separately applicable despite their cooperation herein shown. c

, The invention may be more fully understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my improved label, medallion and wrapper feed arrangement, showing the wrapper feed mechanism W on the rear side of the machine, themedallion and label supplying mechanisms M and L next to it and indicating the clamping jaws of the cigar wrapping apparatus D on top of the figure. Parts of the platforms pertaining to the wrapper, medallion and label feed mechanisms are broken away to better show the underlying elements, and on the left side is fractionally indicated the heat-sealing device B, more fully shown in the next figure. Between the heat sealing device and the label and medallion supplying mechanisms is shown the pneumatic wrapper conveyor C near its wrapper receiving position.

Fig. 2 is a partly sectional 'end view of the medallion and band feeding mechanisms, viewed along the line 2--2 in the direction of the arrows, also indicating the end views of the pneumatic conveyor and of the heat-sealing device. Below the table is shown part of the plunger or lifting member, operating mechanism, partly broken off while the continuation of said mechanism is shown in Fig. 2a and a cross sectional view taken on line 2b-2b of Fig. 2 is illustrated in Fig. 2b.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross section taken along broken line 33 of Fig. 1, but indicating the wrapper feeding device only in a more or less diagrammatical way. The plungers for supporting the Fig. is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, illustrating the details of the cutting and ribbon clamping devices, also drawn to an enlarged scale.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top view of the wrapper table above the aforesaid devices and partially indicating their location underneath the table.

To avoid confusion, the clamping device on the medallion side is omitted and only the knife indicated. I

Fig. 7 is a detail top view; Fig. 8 a side elevation, and Fig. 9 a partly sectional rear elevation of the actuating mechanism for the medallion feeding device, also showing the constructionof the cutter and the ribbon clamping device, all to the same scale.

Fig. 10 shows in a partly sectional rear elevation the modifications required for the label feeding device. 9

Fig. 11 is a top view and. Fig. 12 a side view of the movable and adjustable frame for the label feeding device with an operative attachments omitted, on the same scale as Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail View of the locking mechanism provided for said feeding device.

Fig. 14 is a detail view of the plunger, used for applying the label to the wrapper.

Fig. 15 is a top view of the same plunger.

Fig. 16 is a modification of the self-adjusting means, shown in Fig. 2 for the label or medallion reels.

Fig. 17 is a top view of a modified form of the medallion supplying mechanism.

Fig. 18 is a side view and Fig. 19 a sectional view along the line I9--I9 of Fig. 18, of the modified device shown.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail of the automatic ribbon controlling means, shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 21 a partial top view of the same, showing the gripper jaw.

Similar characters parts denote similar throughout the different views.

Referring more in detail to the figures listed, Fig. 1 shows a top plan view of the general assembly,similar to Fig; 1 of the co-pending application, Ser. No. 739,363, mentioned before. For the sake of easier comparison and clarity, parts identical to both assemblies are marked with the same numeralsin both specifications, but new elements or details are given independentnumbers, regardless whether the same occur in the other specification, designating other parts, or not.

Character W designates the wrapper roll from which the cellophane wrapper passes underneath the knife IIO, actuated by the lever III and the cam-operated rod I2-I, over the trench I08 onto the wrapper table I3, partly broken away in Fig. 1, but shown more plainly in Figs. 2 and 3. Beyond the end of the wrapper table is indicated the wrapping and banding station D with the movable clamping jaws 66, 67, between which a cigar in a horizontal position is elevated by a reciprocating plunger so that it contacts a wrapper, carried by the pneumatic conveyor I53 underneath and across these jaws, from the underside, lifting and simultaneously folding the wrapper around its own top and sides while the jaws tightly clamp the cigar together with the wrapper as soon as the latter have reached a higher position where the wrapping and, eventually the banding, is performed while the cigar is heldstationary.

Alongside the edge of the wrapper table I3 is provided a carriage I53 which is reciprocatingly and slidingly driven over the rail I50 by a chain drive I64 (Fig. 3) passing over gear I61 and attached to the carriage at I5I. This drive and the details of the carriage I53 on which is mounted a suction chamber I40 are fully described in the copending application to which reference is made. If, as Fig. 1 shows, a wrapper section w is transferred upon the portion of the table adjacent to the carriage, it is seen that its left hand edge, looking toward the wrapping station D, will over lap thesuction holes I491), and when, after the label and the medallion, respectively, are firmly attached to its under side, as will be described, the suction is turned on in the chamber I40, the carriage, driven-forward over the rail I 50, will take the wrapper together with the label and/or medallion along toward the wrapping station. The wrapper feed frame 55, spring drum 00, chain drive I0, clutch 62, and the heat sealing device S are described fully in detailand function in the former copending application.

Device S is best illustrated in Fig. 2, while Fig. 1 shows only a fractional part of it. Shortly described, it comprises the supports I00, I01, the r0- tatable shaft I I5, on which is fixedly mounted the sleeve i I6 which by means of twoarms Illa and b carries the drum I25, encasing the electric heating element, and the counterweight I33.

At the extreme ends of the arms I24a, b are the die holders I25a, b, carrying the heating dies I28. Loosely hinged to the shaft H5 and operable by the lifting members I30, I3I are the two parallel arms I350 and IBM which carry the platen or pressure plate I35. To the shaft I I5 of the heatsealing device is imparted an intermittent rocking motion by the rearwardly extending arm I32,

actuated by the knife operating lever I I I and the cam-operated rod I2I.

So far the arrangement of the new labeling and wrapping machine does not deviate from the old The following parts and elements however are substantially new and deviate from the former construction and mode of operation.

Label and medallion feeders While the frame 55 of the wrapper feed together with the label and medallion feed device is mounted, as in the former case, upon a common base plate 9, which in turn is supported by a bracket I0 which may form an integral or a boltedon portion of the main frame I (see Fig. 3 of the present or Fig. 2 of the former application) the other arrangement of the several platforms and supports for the working elements is different. As there are no magazines required for label or medallion stacks or cigar bands, piled over each other, the former platform 6, supporting said magazines is also dispensed with, and the wrapper table I3, on a level with the wrapper feed plate I! (Fig. 3) and the top of the suction chamber I of the conveyor forms the highest platform of the structure. Its shape and supporting means differ from the former ones. substantially a rectangular elongated plate, the left edge, looking toward station D, beingclosely adjacent to the conveyor carriage, provided the same is in the starting position, and the right edge in alignment with the outside edge of the widest cellophane wrapper roll considered. In the center line of the wrapper path-which is assumed to be also the center line of the wrapping and banding mechanism D--are provided two circular apertures I3B for the label plunger and I 3A for the medallion plunger, with the rims chamdevice described in the copending application.

It is fered off toward the top surface. Along the same center line are provided as sole supports for the wrapper table two tubular columns I and 8 (Figs. 1 and 3), the first one extending between the table and the base plate II for the medallion feeder, and the second one, near the wrapping station D, extending between the table and a bracket or lug Ia of the main frame I. Bolts Ia and 8a, with their heads countersunk in the smoothly finished and polished wrapper table, fasten the latter together with the columns securely to the bases, the first bolt passing through the plate II and tapped into the base plate 8, clamping also the medallion feeder plate II securely in fixed position.

Directly underneath the circular apertures ISA and B, and concentric therewith, the base plate 9 .and the bracket III are drilled to provide a sliding fit for the reciprocating plunger 38 for the medallion feeder and 3| for the label feeder. These plungers are substantially long tubular members with a tapered lower nozzle end 38a maintained. The upper ends of these plungers are enlarged to form cylindrical dies and 35 on which the labels or medallions can. rest, after they are separated from the reel. (See Fig. 5.)

The frames for the medallion and label feed-" ersform two stage shelves: that is, each shelf consists of two horizontal plates, spaced apart and braced by certain vertical members yet to be described. The shelf M for the medallion feeder is mounted in a fixed and unchangeable position while the shelf L for the label feeder can be swung about its fulcrum 45, as indicated by dot and dash lines in Fig. 1. This results in applying the label, fed thereby, diagonally to thewrapper. Shelf L is shown in detail in Figs. 11 and 12, and shelf M does not principally differ therefrom in construction. It will therefore be expedient to describe the shelf L first in detail and subsequently point out the differences that will be found in shelf M. The upper horizontal plate I6 is substantially an oblong rectangle.

swung about the center F of the label feed plunger through 45, as said before, and in doing so must clear the carriage I53 as well as the adjacent plate I of the medallion feed shelf, its inner corners have to be suitably trimmed, as shown in Fig. 11, and as will be better understood from a study of Fig. 1. The lower left hand corner is formed by a short arc, drawn from F as center and ending tangentially in the lower lateral edge, while the upper left hand corner starts with an arc from the left hand edge around center F and ends into a line drawn at 45 to the upper lateral edge. The lower horizontal plate I2 has the same width as the top plate and at its inner end is shaped and trimmed in conformity with the upper plate, as described, but it is much shorter and its outer end is furthermore cut out and recessed, as -will be described-afterwards. The two equal inner ends of plates I2 and I6 are spaced apart and solidly bracedby two tubular columns or separators I1 and I8 through which bolts I'Ia and I8a are As this rectangular plate has to be explained later the contour of the aperture is.

not entirely circular, but is flattened by a short segmental line 20a, as shown. From the upper plate I6 depend twojpairs of rectangular brackets 2| and 22, oppositely arranged and forming sliding guides for flanged adjustable bearings 25 (see Fig. 2 .and Fig. 1). In these bearings is fixedly mounted by means of a set screw or otherwise a spindle 23L and on this spindle can loosely rotate the reel 24L, containing the labels. Above the center of the reel and in alignment with its lateral edges is provided a rectangular window 26 through which the label ribbon is drawn from the top of the reel to travel along the surface of plate I6. The cross edges of the window aper-, ture are chamfered toward the underside of the plate. Two lateral light spiral springs 21, extended between the flanges of the bearings and an eyebolt 28 fastened on the top of the plate always tend to draw the bearings together. with the spindle and the reel upwards, so that the upper side of the reel always contacts the window edges with enough friction to prevent an accidental or spontaneous unwinding, regardless of what amount of labels is remaining on the reel. The reel, when almost emptied, is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The two inner brackets 2| at their lower ends are fixedly attached to the flanged extensions I2a of the lower plate I2, thereby forming another pair of braces for the shelfs and the lower plates 9 and I2 are furthermore recessed at 29 to clear the reel 24.

When the label nbbon, unwinding from the reel, has passed through the window 26 onto the 'upper surface of the top shelf l6, it passes between a pair of'friction rollers 36 and 31 toward the. plunger opening 28. These rollers are best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the lower friction roller 36 having the larger diameter and being installed underneath the plate I6, while the smaller roller 31 is located in vertical alignment therewith above the plate, both resiliently contacting each other through a square aperture 3a in the plate. At least the small roller 31 ought to be made of a yielding resilient material or be covered with such, as for instance with a piece of (preferredly corrugated) rubber hose, to insure sufficient friction. The upper roller is rotatably mounted upon an extended shaft 31, the latter being slidably journalled between a pair of short rectangular guide brackets 31A, while the larger and lower roller is fixedly mounted upon an extended shaft 36, the latter being rotatably journalled in two drop hangers 36A. The flanks of the upper more or less stationary shaft can advantageously be flattened to a sliding fit between the brackets, and, near their bearings the shafts are coupled together by light springs 39 to increase the frictional contact of the rollers. While the upper end of the springs is simply hooked over the stationary shaft, the lower ends are attached to a little collar (not especially detailed) which is adapted to glide around the V Modified form of medallion supplying mechanism wise attached on it a ratchet wheelg40 whose function will beexplained later. Y

As saidbefore, the whole shelf frame for the label feeder can' be'swung around the center F for 45 degrees and a locking device is provided to secure the frame in either end position. This lock is shown in Fig. 13 and consists in a little spring tensioned plunger, seated in the base plate 9 andadapted to engage either of two holes Ma or MD in the lower shelf I2 of the frame- I I The lock comprises the shanked piston 42, threaded on the end of the shank toreceive the nut and a washer 42c. Thehole through plate!) is not completelydrilled through, leaving a conical offset 44,-to retain the spring 43 which surrounds the shank underneath the somewhat rounded off head 42b.

If one intends to change the angle at which thelabel feeding shelf is positioned, one must push the plunger head downward against the tension of the spring with a stick or rod until one can shift'the movable shelf I2 sidewards over the compressed plunger. If turned through a com plete arc of 45, the shelf will be locked again automatically in the other position, the springactuated plunger head entering the corresponding other hole Me or 4Ib, as the case'may be. See also Fig. 1' and Fig. 4. 1

Comparing now the stationary immovable frame for the medallion feeder with the adjustableframe for the label feeder, just described, the first differenceexists in the shape of the two superimposed shelves I5 and II. The ends adjacent to thecarriage path have no trimmed off corners like the shelf I6; on thecontrary, while the corners near plates I6 and I2 are extended at 45' (Fig. 1) to fill out the gaps that otherwise would be created" by the rounded off corners in plates I6 and I2, the opposite corners near the knife III! are extended to form perforated ears or lobes 45a and b which are held fixedly by the column 1; (see Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5). While this 1- umn is mounted with its base uponthe' lobe 461) through which the bolt lais' tapped intothe plate 9, the upper lobe 46a is clamped between themain lower portion of the column and an upper annular ring lb. w

Instead of two separators IT and I8) only one, 41, Fig. 1 is needed; The other elements are all analogous to the ones described in connection with t'helabel feeder, except that the feel 24M is wider thanreel 24L and spindle 28M correspondingly longer. I

Modification of label ormedallion reels In Fig. 16 is shown a modification and simplification of the self-adjusting means for either of the label or medallion reels. Accordingly, the spindles 23L or M of the reels are journalled loosely in the forked ends II of swinging arms 10, which are fulcrumed at I2 by a pin which may pass through both bearings of hangers I3, suspended by bolts or otherwise from ,the plates H3 or I respectively. Fastened to an eyelet 14 at the extreme end of each arm I0 at one end and to a stand "I5 on top of the plates IE or l5 at the other end and passing through a suitable opening 18 in the plate is provided a tension coil spring 16, which has the tendency to pull the reel towards the window 26 through which the reels unwind. Thus it is seen that the identical function of the self-adjusting and spring-actuated bear-. ings 25, described above, can be executed in a simplified manner.

In Fig. 17, a top view 'of a modified form of the medallion supplying mechanism, called M is shown. This differs from the 'one called M and shown injFig. 1, principally in that the automatic controlling means, engaging the indentations on the medallion ribbon, "simultaneously serve as the ribbon feeding means- This arrangement therefore dispenses' with the'ribbon feed rolls,

shown'andillustrated in Figs. 1,2, and 8. It

should be understood that ananalogous modificasupplyingdevice, could also be employed for the label-supplying device, the differences being mainly in the form of the ribbon and the gripper jaws.

Operating mechanism for feeders The operation of the label, as well as that of the medallion feeder, is actuated by the reciprocating movement of-the pneumatic carriage.

Looking at Fig. 3 one sees the outer wall of the pneumatic carriage frame I53 which travels over the rectangular bar or rail I50. An end view of this carriage and bar is shown in Fig. 2. Comparing this with the former construction of the copending application, Ser. No; 739,363, especially as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, one observes animportant change inasmuch as the longitudinal slot which clears the rail pin of the bracket I54 is omitted. Instead of it, the frame I53 could entirely surround the rail, and forthe former lateral bracket I54 is substituted 'anend bracket 50 (Figs.

1 and 3), which supports the end of bar I50,

leaving the side of the carriage frame entirely unobstructed. However, in order to facilitate a close sliding fit of the inside of the frame, the opposite side wall of the frame is slotted at 94 so that a planing tool is enabled to enter (see Fig; 2).

On the smooth solid side wall are adjustably fastened two racks,'5I, for the medallion-feeder,

and 52 for the label feeder.- They are substantially flat elongated plates or bars with a row of upstanding teeth at the lower rim and a pair of horizontally slotted ears on the upper side. The

alignment, would interfere with each others action. These rack plates are suspended on the carriage wallfrom tap bolts 48 which pass through the horizontal slots 49 in the ears 51, ex-

tending from the upper edge of both rack plates.

The slots facilitate the adjustment of the racks in any position along the side of the carriage.

, The spur gear 53 for the medallion feeder and 54 for the label feeder are loosely mounted on the bushings I4 which are fixedly threaded into the bottom plates II and I2 respectively. By having hubs of different length, their planes of gearing are also staggered in relation to each other, so that the gear rim of spur wheel 53 is adapted to get in mesh with rack 5| while that of spur wheel 54 gets in mesh with rack 52. It is now evident that if the carriage I53 approaches the terminal position near the wrapper feeding device and the cutter III), the racks bolted to its side wall will engage the two spur ears 53 and 5.4 and rotate them in a counterclockwise direction (Figs. 1 and 3) while on the return trip toward the wrapping station the carriage will cause the spur gears to rotate in a clockwise direction. It

turn trip, however, the clockwise rotation of both 2 wheels will start simultaneously but may for one spur wheel last a little longer than for the other. Accordingly, the two spur wheels will turn through two different arcs.

On the upper face these spur wheels have each an upright pin 53p and 54;) respectively which engages a lateral slot of the push bar 60M or 60L respectively (see Figs-.13, '7, 8, and 9). These push bars are rectangular bars with an enlarged and laterally slotted head 60M or 60L. Their shank is slidably supported in two aligned bearings or slots of a sledge guide SIM or 6IL. The latter are 'U-shaped brackets mounted with their bases upon the shelf II or I2 respectively and two slots cut in their upright legs in which the push bars slidably fit. On one outer side of the push bar, between its two bearings, it is provided with a pivoted pawl 63M or L, positioned so that it is aligned with the under side of the ratchet gear 40. This pawlis springactuated in well-known manner at 64 and so arranged that when the push bar is pushed toward the reels 24M or L, it will rotate the ratchet gear in a counter-clockwise direction while, when the bar is returned the pawl will slide idly over the ratchet teeth. As the ratchets are fixedly mounted upon the shafts 36 of the medallion feeder and the label feeder respectively, it will be understood that by their intermittent rotation always a certain length of the ribbonswhich can be adjusted to the width of the printed medallion or labelis fed forwardly between the friction guide rollers.

Although adjusting means are provided for the actuating racks on the reciprocating carriage, as described before, there is an auxiliary means furnished for the sake of still closer adjustment, so as to make the division of the fine ratchet teeth coincide with the start and stop of the travel which may be imparted to the push bars 60M or L. This means consists in providing two oval slots 65 in the base of the sledge SIM, L and fastening the base to the plates II or I2 by means of tap screws 68 which pass through these slots. It is then evident that the sledge casting together with the push bars guided therein can be moved parallel to itself, nearer to or further away from the center line of the feed path for the ribbons. Simultaneously the pins 53p or 54p will occupy a position deeper or less deep in the slotted heads 60M or L. But while this does not change the are through which the spur gears 53 or 54 travel or their pins move, it changes the length of travel for the push bars by a trifle one way or the other. In this way very accurate adjustment is made possible.

Comparing the operative parts of the medallion and the label feeder, especially as illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, one will perceive that, due to the difference in the height of the hubs for the spur wheels 53 and 54, certain differences in the proportions of operative elements are necessary, to wit: the sledge-for guiding the push bar 60L (Fig. 10) has higher upright legs than that for push bar 60M (Fig. 9) Furthermore, as the location of the ratchet wheels 40 is at the same height in both feeder devices, the pawl 63 forthe label feedercannot be pivoted directly to the side of the push bar, as it is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 which illustrate the medallion feeder, but must be pivoted to a depending lug 56, integral with the push bar (or otherwise attached) so that the pawl is in proper engaging position.

Automatic control for length of ribbon feed Though there is provided a double control for adjusting the feed of the ribbons (either for the labels or the medallions) to the exact length required, experience has shown that no matter how closely the manual adjustment be made, an accidental shift of say one thousandth of an inch would in the course 'of operation amount to enough to advance the cut of the knife to the middle of the medallion or the label, as the case may be. An additional corrective control is therefore required. v

This is provided by an automatic locking device, shown in Fig.2, Figs. 20 and 21 representing an alternately released and engaging stop, interlocking with the indentations, provided on the borders of the label or medallion ribbons, so as to check on any excessive advance or retardation of the ribbon feed. For this purpose the ribbons, bearing the imprints of the labels or medallions, are not madein the form of plain tapes of even width throughout but the longitudinaledges are indented between adjoining facsimiles, as indicated at 24d, or, if preferred, the ribbon may be perforated otherwise, either by full apertures or semi-circular cuts which provide depressible tongues without actually cutting away any material. At any rate some incisions are made at regular spaces corresponding to the length of the printed units so that a mechanical gripper device can engage them in regular sequence and thus check their steady advance, exerting if necessary either a slight pull forward or backward upon the reel. This gripper device may be a onearmed pawl II'I (Figs. 20, 21) fulcrumed in a forked bearing H8, and at its free end terminating in two prongs Illa and b, adapted to engage the lateral indentations 24d of the ribbon, or otherwise shaped according to requirements. The plate I 5 or I6 is provided with a pair of recesses or pockets I29 into which the prongs la, b, loosely fit.

The rear leg of the sledge guides SIM or L through which the push bar 60M or L slides,

has an upward extension which carries a forked bearing H9 into which a short dependent arm I20 is linked. To the dependent free end of the latter is pivoted a connecting bar I22 which in turn is pivotally linked at I23 to the front end of the pawl II'I; On top of the push bar 60M or L is provided a flat spring I21, so arranged, that when the push bar moves toward the reel, the end of the spring, suitably guided through the slotted leg 6 IM, L, pushes against the dependent arm I20, swinging the latter upwardly until it can pass underneath it, thereby imparting a short uplifting motion to the pawl II'l through the connecting link I22, thus releasing the pawl from engagement with the indentations 24d.

The total travel of the push bar is so adjusted that the pawl II! is lifted .out of engagement just before the ratchet wheel pawl-63M engages the wheel 40 and the ribbon therefore begins to move forwardly. As soon as the spring I21 has passed the link I20, pawl II'I drops upon the 75 aioaaae tations, thereby checking any further progress of the ribbon which, due to the preliminary adjustment of the racks SI 'and 52 respectively besides the adjustment'of the sledge guide 6I,mentioned before,'reaches the end of its travel at about the same moment. The pawl therefore' exerts only an'eventual slight correction upon the ad vance of the ribbon, the actual feed beingpro duced by the friction rollers 36, 31. On the re turn" trip of the push'bar, thespring itself 'is depressed by'the arm I2'6,-"unti1, after passing, it snaps back intolunstraine'd position, while the pawrm is not affected. I

Modification of reel feeding devices It is, however, feasible andjin some cases desirableto effect the forward feed of the ribbon, both for the medallion and the label directly through pawl which engages'th'e indentations provided on the ribbon tape, and Figs. 1'1, 18 and 19 illustrate this modified arrangement. As the gripping pawl I66 itself intermittently propels the ribbon 24 toward the wrapper path, the friction rollers 36 and 31 can be dispensed with and only stationary guiding means in the shape of a top plate or bar I6I, to be described in detail hereafter, is provided to conduct the ribbon towards the knife and the plunger.

The pawl I66 can be shaped similarly to the above described pawl 'I I1, but instead of being pivoted to a stationary forked bearing,-llke H8, it is in this case pivotally linked to the upper end of a vertically mounted double-armed rocking lever I62. The latter is fulcrumed to a bracket I63, forming an integral part of the reel brackets 2|. The connection with the pawl is made adjustable by well known means, i. e. by using a clamping bolt I64, having an offset at I64a against which the end of the lever arm, provided with a slot, is clamped by means of a hexagonal nut I641). It is evident that thereby the are through which the fulcrum point and therewith the prong ends. I66a, b can be swung, may be varied and be made to closely tally with the required distance from end to end of label or medallion, as the case maybe. The lower end of the rocking lever is fork-shaped and straddles the rear end of the push bar I65. This end is provided with a through pin I66, fixedly mounted therein and slidably operating within two opposite slots I62b of the forked lever end. Onthe extended rear leg of the sledge 161M is provided a pawl-lifting device, similar in principle to the one, described for Fig. 20, but reversedin arrangement and applied to the return'stroke of the push bar I65. Into the forked bearing I68, fixedly attached to the top of the sledge leg is linked the arm I69, dependent on the inside of the leg and by ,a connecting bar I 16 this is linked to a plunger. bar I", guided vertically in the bracket I12, attached to the underside of the table I5 or I6. The upper end of "the plungerbar is adapted to push against a lateral boss I13, integral with the pronged end of the pawl I66. On top of the push bar, normally between the legs of the sledge I61 is provided a flat spring I14, but pointing in a direction, opposite to the formerly described spring I21, which otherwise it resemblesin shape and function." It is evident now that when the push bar travels backwards,

:thereby advancing the ribbon propelling pawl I66, the spring passes underneath the dependent arm I69, its resilient end being depressed thereby,

but without imparting any movement to the arm or the pawl-lifting lever. When the push bar reaches its extreme rearward position and the pawl consequently has attained its maximum forward swing, the spring end,'having passed through the slot I16 of the sledge'leg, best illustrated in Fig. 19, has snapped upward "again and is now ready for action. As soon asc'the' push bar begins its return ti'ip, -thespring end pushes the depending arm I-691out of the way, thereby.

lifting the plungerbar' l 1I and'the prongs IBM; 11- .The 'gripp'ing pawl; being redrawn, is released from the tipend of .bar I11 and drops down upon the borders of the ribbon, .'which iis'zstationar'y while the pawl rides back into its starting position'." There is, howeveiyother"auxiliary guiding means for the pawlprovided. The-conducting plate' I6I mentioned before; consists principally of a middle bar I6 Ia with lateral extensions I6I-b,- which fasten it to the top surfaceof plate. I5 (16) by meansof screws I 6Ic, and at the same time raise it just sufllciently above it, so that the ribbon of the medallions (or labels) can slide forward between them. The rear or receiving end of the middle bar I6Ia which extends just over the window 26 through which the ribbon is unwound, is split lengthwise, as shown in Figs. 1'1 and 18. One half of the split end, I16, is slightly bent upward so as to facilitate the entrance of the ribbon, the other half I 11 is however substantially raised, though with a gradual start, above the surface of plate l5, I6, and forms a cam which the pawl I66 straddles saddle-like. It is thus seen that by giving this end an appropriate curvature, the pawl I66 whose backward travel somewhat exceeds the longitudinal extent of the label or medallion, is lifted out of engagement with the indentations for this excess length. When the pawl travels forward again, it slides down over the cam I11, engages the indentations and pushes the ribbon along by travelling inside the grooves I18, provided in the plate I5 or 16. In addition the conducting plate I6I with its upwardly bent ends may be made adjustable in an axial direction by having the fastening screws I6Ic for the extensions pass through slots (not especially shown).

Cutting 017 device for reel ribbons afore-described, is yet sufficient to pass the front endv of the ribbon across the opening 26 either in the plate I5 or I6. Then it has to be severed accurately from the rest of the ribbon by a shearing action, while the uncut portion of the medal lion or label ribbon is momentarily pressed firmly upon the feeding plate. I

To accomplish the latter function, there is provided right in front of the, severing line, if one looks from the"reel toward the opening 26, a

clamping arm 8IM for the medallion feeder and 8IL for the label feeder.- See Figs. 5, 6,. and 9.-

Each consists of a one-arm lever, fulcrumed in a.

' littlebearing bracket 82, and pivoted at the free end to a plunger 83 which passes through. the plate I5 or I6 respectively and a partly also through the base plate 1 I or I2 respectively. The

lever 8IM, L has an enlargement 8Ia approximately in its middle length, in the form of a fiattened pad which, when the lever is pressed down, covers the portion of the ribbon which lies immediately in front of the severing line. The plunger 83 has a little offset or shoulder at 830. underneath the upper shelf plate, which limits the upward movement of the plunger and of the one-armed lever and pad, so that only enough clearance is provided for the ribbon to pass freely when the arm is up. A little spiral spring 84 wound around the upper portion of the plunger, between the top plate and the pivot connection of the arm, tends to normally keep the clamping arm out of contact with the plate. In the lower portion, each plunger is provided with a lateral protrusion or lug 83b, positioned at such height above the base shelf II or I2, that when a roller (see'also Figs. 7 and 8) which is provided on a lateral stud 88, tapped into the outer side of the pusher head 80M or 80L, strikes saidlug, it will depress the plunger far enough by partly passing over the lug 83b so that the pad Ila firmly clamps the ribbon down upon the plate l5 or I8, against the tension of spring 84.

' Due to the differences in proportion of operative parts for the medallion and the label feeder, caused by the different height at which the spur wheels 53 and 54 are positioned and therefore also the push bars 69M or L, the lug 83b on the plunger 83 for the label feeder (see Fig. 10) is somewhat higher located than the lug 83b for the medallion feeder (Fig. 9). The bottom end of the plunger must not quite touch the base plate 9 when the roller 85. draws the plunger down, on the other hand it must not leave the hole in plate II or I2 when the tension on the plunger is released.

The knife for cutting off the label or medallion lying across the apertures 28 in plate I5 or I8 consists of a short broad blade 81 with a slanting cutting edge 81, a flanged middle portion 81a and a round shank 81b, forming one integral piece. On the plunger shank 39, between the die 34 and the hub of the spur gear 53, and similarly on the shank 3| between die 35 and hub of spur gear 54, is provided a collar 88, fastened to a plunger by a set screw 89 and having a lateral extension plate 90. This extension has three perforations, one in the center for letting the knife shank 81b pass through and two on the sides for letting the stems of two long studs 93 pass which on their top ends are tapped securely or welded into the flanged middle portion of the knife. Both studs,between said flanged portion and the extension of the collar are surrounded by a compression coil spring 9|. The, knifeblade, when in its highest position, is still partly guided by a slot 92in the upper shelf plate I5 or I6, and if the plunger which thus supports the knife device, as described, travels upwards. the slanting knife blade, which closely fitsinto the slot 92, makes a straight vertical shearing cut in combination with the clamping pad 8 la.

' The coil springs 9| are strong enough to push the knife through the paper ribbons, but when the upward movement of the knife is stopped by the flanged portion 81:: striking the upper shelf plate I5 or I6, which will happen just before the knife point touches the wrapper table I3, .and the plunger continues to rise until the top of the die 34 (or 35) touches the cellophane wrapper lying across the table, extension plate 98 com presses the spring 9| while the shank 81b and the studs 93 protrude through the apertures in said extension plate. When the plunger descends again, it releases the knife springs and takes the carrying away the wrapper 'with the label and the medallion attached to it by heat-sealing, reverses the rotation of the spur gears by means of the racks. This simultaneously moves the push bars together with the rollers 85 out of engagement with the plungers 83 which actuate the clamping arms 8IM, L and the forward ends of the ribbons are released, as the springs-84 raise the arms and lift the pads 8Ia.

It is to be noticed that while the plunger head or die for the medallion feeder can be circular, the length of some labels may be so short that there would not be enough guidance left in the plate I8 (Fig. 11) for the knife blade between the plunger opening and the slot 92. In such a case it is practical to flatten the die on the side facing the knife and to cut out the plate I5 or I8 in the manner shown, as has been mentioned before. While in the case of the medallion plunger this might be an alteration, necessitated by circumstances, it is nevertheless a feature which in the case of the label plunger is always advantageous for a reason which will be explained later.

Modification of cutting-01f device It is, however, feasible and may be required in certain cases to cut off the medallions or labels by a downward stroke of a knife. How this may be accomplished is shown also in the modified arrangement, illustrated in Figs. 17 to 19. The knife blade I89 forms a one-armed lever, fulc'rumed in a little pillow block I8I positioned on top of the plate I5 or I6, at one side of the ribbon path. A slot I82 in the plate is provided at the exact place where the medallion or label has to be cut. The knife blade, however, is not in exact alignment with the slot but is very slightly bent in such a way that while it normally engages the slot with its rear end only, its edge is gradually drawn into it while the blade descends, thus exerting a shearlike action with the edge of the slot. At the fulcrum point the blade is fixedly attached to a pin I83, protruding beyond the pillow block in which it is journalled, threaded at the end and provided with a washer I84, hexagonal nut I85 and a rather strong coil spring I86. The axis of the pin, which fits rather closely into thebe'aring, runs at a slightly acute angle to the operative portion of the knife blade,'so that when the knife descends into'the slot I82 it exerts a compressive strain upon the spring, forcing the pin slightly outward against the tension of the spring. To the free end of the knife is pivotally attached a depending rod I8'I, passing through an opening in th'e'plate I5 and linked underneath it to a double arm rocking lever I88. Said lever is fulcrumed to a hanger I 89 which is fastened with its base to the underside of the platform I5 (16) at one end which is linked to the rod I81, it is forked and slotted, embracing a pin I98, traversing said rod, and the other end forms a bulb l9l, perforated by a conical bore I92 contracted in the center and flaring out at both ends in such a way that a vertical plunger I93 can be guided through the bulb with sufficient clearance and still contacting the wall of the bore, while the lever is rocked through an arc of about 30. The collar I94 on the plunger 30 (02' 3I) which corresponds to the formerly described collar 88 (see Fig. 8) has a lateral extension I95 for the bottom support of the plunger I93. Said plunger is formed by a bolt which slidably passes through the extension I95, carries a coil spring I98 between the extension and the underside of the bulb I9I and is threaded at 75 the end where it emerges from the bulb, into a stop I91, or is otherwise fixedly attached to it. The action of the knife then is as follows:

When the ribbon has advanced so far that a new medallion or label is placed across the apertures I9 or 20, the plungers 30 (3|) begin to rise, taking the collar I94 and the plunger I93 with them and rocking the levers I88. The free end of these levers causes the knife to descend, completing a cut and severing a medallion or label from the ribbon. But while the movement of the knife is stopped, as soon as the stop I9'I reaches the base of the hanger I89 (see Fig. 18) the upward motion of the plunger 30 (3 I) continues, compressing the spring I99, as the plunger bolt I93 no longer follows the movement. The plunger carries the detached medallion or label toward the upper plate I3 and through the holes I3A, B against the wrapper where it is attached by the heat sealingdevice as formerly described. On descending again, the extension I95 of the collar releases the spring I96 first and then pulls down the stop I91, attached to member 91 is pivoted which is likewise forked on its upper end 9111 where one arm of a long bell crank 98 is pivotally connected. This bell crank is the plunger I93. This reverses the motion of the rocker arm and carries the knife upward into its starting position, without, however, entirely detaching the rear end of the knife blade from the slot I82.

Driving means for feeder plungers In comparison with the action 'of the band and label pickers, described in the copending applicaknife blades, rising in unison with them, shear off the first unit of the medallion and the label ribbons and the cut-off pieces are immediately taken I up by the rising plungers in which the suction is turned on by the air valve, as mentioned before. When the plungers, holding the cut-off label and medallion by force of pneumatic attraction, have reached through the apertures I3A, B, the underside of the wrapper which meanwhile has been conveyed into the proper position on top of the table I3, the pressure plate I35 (Fig. 2) drops down upon the wrapper, clamping it to the table, and the heat-sealing drum I25 with the dies I28 is pressed down against the plunger heads, soften ing the adhesive compound with which the labels or medallions are impregnated and combining it fixedly with the waterproofing film on the under surface of the wrapper. Thus the paper tags are firmly attached to the wrapper, the suction in the plungers is cut off again, while the pneumatic conveyor in which the suction meanwhile has been initiated, can carry off the whole wrapper with the tags. The plungers simultaneously have started their downward movement.

The alternating phases in the operation of the two-way air valve, controlling the suction, and the synchronization of the pneumatic means in the wrapper conveyor with those in the medallion and band pickers is therefore analogous to that described in the copending application, aforementioned.

Below the bracket I are providedhangers 95, adapted to guide the lower hose-carrying ends of the plungers in slide bearings 9511-. Both plunger ends, between the bracket I0 and the guide bear-.

ings are coupled together by a cross brace 96 which at the bottom of the center has a forked lateral extension 96a into which an upright intermediate point in the slot.

fulcrumed in the hanger 99, bolted on the main frame, and its free end carries a roller I00. This roller is actuated by-a cam I 0| on a shaft I02 which is assumed to be located near the hopper end of the machine (Fig. 2a). This, however, mayvary, depending upon the general arrangement of the wrapping machine. Also this shaft may either be the main cam shaft or a countershaft driven by transmission therefrom. By the rotation of the cam the bellcrank is rocked, and the arm, linked to the intermediate member 91 israised, thereby lifting the brace carrying the two plungers 30 and SI.

The return of the plungers and the bell crank I ly described. 4

Figs. 14 and 15 show a detail of the label feed or plunger, and Fig. 2b illustrates how the cross brace this attached to both plungers. While the medallion feeder plunger 30 has a smooth shank of even diameter, as Fig. 2 shows, and the side bearing 96M is fixedly attached to the shank by the set screw I00, the label feeder plunger, as Fig- 14 shows has an offset on the shank at I95 and the lower and thinner end of the shank can turn freely in the side bearing of the cross brace 90. A collar I09, fastened to the lower portion of the shank below the side bearing by the setscrew I It, keeps the plunger in place in vertical relation to the cross brace, and it is seen therefore that the only means which keeps the plunger from turning around its axis spontaneously is the flattened surface II3 of the die, as far as it may be guided by the corresponding aperture in the plate It of the shelf frame, described before, the knife blade, guided in its slot, and the friction in the hearing at I05 which should not :be too loose and may be regulated by the setting of the collar I99.

If one intends now to change the setting of the label feeder frame by turning it one way or the other, the first step should be to advance the driving mechanism for the plungers to the point where the plungers are entering the apertures in the plates I5 and It. If one then turns the frame of the label feeder around, the aperture 29 in combination with the knife blade which has fully passed through its. slot will turn the plunger around with it into the proper position. This preliminary step is important, as otherwise an enforced turning of the frame might snap the knife Thus all the enumerated objects of the invention are obtained in an efllcient, economical and simple manner and all the mechanical devices described are coordinated to automatically and synchronously perform the functions required.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described my invention, but I desire it understood that it is not confined to the particular form shown and described, the same being merely illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit of my invention, and therefore, I claim broadly the right to employ all equivalent instrumentalities coming within the scope of the appended claims and by means of which, objects of my invention are attained and new results accomplished, as it is obvious that the particular embodiments herein shown and described are only some of many that can be employed to attain these objects and accomplish these results.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and' desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a cgar wrapping and labeling'machine, comprising a wrapper feeding device, a reel, adapted to carry a roll of serially connected labels, adjustable means to intermittently feed predetermined lengths of said roll across the underside of a cigar wrapper, a plunger, reciprocatingly activated in a vertical direction and adapted to support the wound-off front end of said roll, clamping means to fixedly hold the unsupported portion of the wound-off roll, cutting means, cooperatively connected with said plunger, to sever the portion supported by the plunger from the clamped portion of the roll, means to elevate the plunger supporting the detached end into contact with the wrapper and means to fixedly attach said end to the underside of the wrapper.

2. In a wrapping and labeling machine of the class described, comprising a'reel for carrying a roll of labels, a reciprocating conveyor adapted to carry a cigar wrapper across the path of the unwound end of said roll, mechanical means cooperatively connected with and actuated by the reciprocating conveyor to intermittently feed predetermined lengths of said roll toward and across the wrapper, and cooperating means to fixedly attach said predetermined lengths to said wrapper.

3. In a wrapping and labeling machine of the class described, comprising areel for carrying a roll of labels, a reciprocating conveyor adapted to carry a cigar wrapper across the path of the unwound end of said roll, mechanical means cooperatively connected with and actuated by the reciprocating conveyor to intermittently feed predetermined lengths of said roll toward and across the wrapper, a reciprocating vertical plunger, adapted to support the first predetermined length of said roll, as unwound therefrom, cutting means cooperatively connected with said plunger to sever said first predetermined length, means, synchronized with the conveyor to elevate the plunger into contact with the cut off end of the roll and to carry it into contact with the wrapper and means to fixedly attach said end to said wrapper.

4. In a wrapping and labeling machine, comprising a reel for carrying a roll of labels, a reciprocating conveyor adapted to carry a cigar wrapper by means of pneumatic attraction across the path of the unwound end of said roll, mechanical means, actuated by the reciprocating movement of said pneumatic conveyor to intermittently feed predetermined lengths from said roll toward and across the wrapper, means to sever said lengths successively as they cross the path of the wrappers, a reciprocating plunger, cooperatively connected with said severing means, adapted to pick up each severed length by pneumatic suction and to carry it into contact with the wrapper and heat-sealing means to fixedly attach the severed length to the wrapper, substantially as described.

5. In a wrapping and labeling machine, comprising a reel for carrying a roll of labels, a reciprocating conveyor adapted to carry a cigar wrapper by means of pneumatic attraction across the path of the unwound end of said roll, adjustable means, actuated by the reciprocating movement of said pneumatic conveyor to intermittently feed predetermined lengths from said roll toward and across the wrapper, clamping means to fixedly hold the unwound end of the roll outside of the wrapper path, means to sever said lengths successively as they cross the path of the wrappers, a reciprocating plunger, cooperatively connected with said severing means, adapted to pick up each severed length by pneumatic suction and to carry it into contact with the wrapper and heat-sealing means to fixedly attach the severed length to the wrapper, substantially as described.

6. In a machine of the class described, a conveyor, adapted to carry a series of wrappers toward a wrapping and labeling position, a turntable, having its fulcrum aligned with the centerline of the wrapper path, a reel at the out-,

standing end of the turntable for carrying a roll of labels and adapted to feed them along the turntable toward the wrapper path, mechanical means to adjust the turntable at an optional angle relative to the wrapper path, means to sever the label crossing said path from the roll and means to attach said label to the wrapper at the adjusted angle.

7. In a machine of the class described, a conveyor, adapted to carry a series of wrappers toward a wrapping and labeling position, a turntable, having its fulcrum aligned with the centerline of the wrapper path, a reel at the outstanding end of the turntable for carrying a roll of labels and adapted to feed them along the turntable toward the wrapper path, mechanical means to adjust the turntable at an optional angle relative to the wrapper path, automatic means to lock the turntable in the adjusted position, means to sever the label crossing said path from the roll and means to attach said label to the wrapper at the adjusted angle.

8. In a wrapping and labeling machine, a reciprocating carriage, adapted to convey a wrapper with a label attached to it, toward a wrapping and labeling position, a, reel adapted to carry a tape, on which labels are impressed in series, separated from each other by indentations in the margin of said tape, a reciprocating bar, a

means to operate" said bar by said reciprocating carriage; frictional means, actuated by said bar and adapted to unwind and propel said tape intermittently from the reel in the direction toward the reciprocating wrapper carriage, controlling means, adapted to arrest the advance of the tape at predetermined points by engaging said indentations, said controlling means likewise operated by said reciprocating bar and means for severing said advertising indicia from the tape at predetermined points before they are attached to the wrapper.

9. In a wrapping and labeling machine, a recipi ocating carriage, adapted to convey a wrapper with a label attached to it, toward a wrapping and labeling position, a reel, adapted to carry a tape, on which labels are impressed in series, separated from each other by indentations in the lateral margins of said tape, a reciprocating bar, means to operate said bar by said reciprocating carriage; a bifurcated reciprocating pawl, adapted to intermittently propel said tape by engaging said marginal indenta tions, said pawl being operated by said reciprocating bar, and means, likewise actuated by I said bar to temporarily release .the pawl from engagement with the indentations after each propulsion of the tape.

10. In a wrapping and labeling machine of the class described, a reel adapted to carry a roll of labels, a reciprocating conveyor adapted to carry a cigar wrapper across the path of the unwound end of said roll, mechanical means, cooperatively connected with and actuated by said reciprocating conveyor to intermittently feed predetermined lengths of said roll toward and across the wrapper, a reciprocating vertical plunger, adapted to support the first predetermined length of said roll, as unwound therefrom, a, knife, separately mounted on said plunger and across the path of said roll, means operatively connected with said plunger to activate said knife, so as to cut oil a predetermined length from said roll, means to limit the stroke of the knife irrespective of the travel of said plunger, means, synchronized with the conveyor to elevate the plunger into contact with the cut on end of the roll and to carry it into contact with the wrapper and means, operatively connected with the plunger to return the knife into its initial position when the plunger descends again.

11. In a wrapping and labeling machine a reciprocating carriage, adapted to conveya wrapper toward a wrapping and labeling position, a reel, adapted'to carry a tape, on which advertising indicia are impressed in series, propelling means, adapted to engage the tape, unwinding from the reel and to propel it toward the wrapper carriage, motion-transmitting means, comprising a reciprocating bar, operatively interconnected between the reciprocating carriage and said propelling means and adapted to intermittently actuate the latter and means for severing said advertising indicia in predetermined lengths before they are attached to the wrapper.

12. In a wrapping and labeling machine a reciprocating carriage, adapted to convey a wrapper toward a wrapping and labeling position, a reel, adapted to carry a tape on which advertising indicia are impressed in series, separated from each other by marginal indentations of the tape, propelling means, comprising a frictional roll, adapted to engage the tape, as it unwinds from the reel and to advance it toward the wrapper carriage, and a pawl, fulcrumed at a fixed point, and controlling the advance of the tape by successively engaging the marginal indentations, motion-transmitting means, comprising a reciprocating bar, operatively interconnected between said reciprocating carriage and said frictional roll and adapted to intermittently actuate the pawl by reieasing it temporarily from engagement with said marginal indentations, as soon as the frictional roll commences to propel the tape, means for severing the latter in predetermined lengths and means to attach them successively to the wrapper.

13. In a wrapping and labeling machine a reciprocating carriage, adapted to convey a wrap per toward a wrapping and labeling position, a reel, adapted to carry a tape on which advertising indicia are impressed in series, separated from each other by marginal indentations of the tape. propelling means, comprising a bifurcated pawl, linked to the arm of a swinging lever and adapted to intermittently propel said tape by successively engaging said marginal indentations, motion-transmitting means, comprising a reciprocating bar, operatively interconnected between said reciprocating carriage and said pawl, means,

likewise actuated by said bar to temporarily release the pawl from engagement with the indentation after each propulsion of the tape, means for severing the latter in predetermined lengths and means to attach said tape lengths successively to the advancing wrapper.

FRANCIS X. MALOCSAY. 

